Mine loader to improve training

A $100,000 piece of specialised mining equipment at TAFE Western's Dubbo Campus is set to be used to train students.

The underground loader, used for moving excavated earth and rocks, has been donated by the New Gold Peak Gold Mine at Cobar.

TAFE's Brad Pollock says it will be used for training mechanics, as well as people who are planning to work in the mining industry.

He says it is an experience unique to Dubbo.

"This is quite a coup for TAFE Western because we're the only institute in New South Wales which has an underground loader like this and we're also very fortunate to have a big dump truck up there too which is an underground dump truck," he said.

"So we've now got the loader that fills the truck up and we've got the truck, all we need is the mine."

It is hoped the equipment will help mining students transition into the workplace quicker.

Mr Pollock says the loader will add to the campus's existing mining simulators.

He says that equipment's already made a difference to students going into the industry.

"Very positive feedback there, the mines are saying to us that the students are coming out with real hands on skills and it actually cuts down the operational training time on site if they're operating mining equipment."